Rustic Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich Recipe to Savor

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement around this classic po boy sandwich that blends crispy textures and bold flavors.

Generations of cooks have perfected the art of crafting these delectable handheld meals.

Coastal Louisiana inspired this hearty creation, where fresh seafood meets crusty French bread.

Locals cherish every bite of the perfectly seasoned filling nestled between soft yet crunchy bread.

Crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and zesty sauce complement the main ingredient’s rich profile.

Regional pride shines through in each carefully assembled layer of deliciousness.

What Makes Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich Delicious

• Quick and Satisfying Meal: Create a delicious, classic New Orleans-style sandwich in just a few simple steps with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customizable Flavor Explosion: Adjust the hot sauce intensity to match your personal spice preference, making this recipe perfect for different taste buds.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike will love the crispy shrimp and zesty sauce, making it an ideal meal for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Enjoy the authentic taste of a traditional po' boy sandwich without leaving your kitchen, saving money and impressing your family with restaurant-style cooking.

Everything You Need For Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• French Bread: A classic soft and crusty bread perfect for creating a traditional po' boy sandwich.

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the star protein for this classic Louisiana sandwich.

• Flour, Cornmeal: A crispy blend that provides a golden and crunchy exterior for the shrimp.

• Eggs: Helps the coating adhere to the shrimp and creates a protective layer for frying.

• Mayonnaise, Hot Sauce, Lemon Juice: A zesty and creamy sauce that adds tangy and spicy flavor to the sandwich.

• Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch, color, and additional flavor layers to the po' boy.

• Oil: Used for frying the shrimp to achieve a golden brown and crispy texture.

Steps To Make Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

Step 1: Slice French Bread

Cut the French bread into sandwich-sized portions and slice them open lengthwise, creating a perfect vessel for the delicious filling.

Step 2: Prepare Crispy Coating

Create a flavorful coating by mixing flour and cornmeal in a shallow dish, ensuring an even and crunchy exterior for the shrimp.

Step 3: Whisk Egg Mixture

Beat eggs in a separate bowl until well combined, creating a smooth binding agent for the coating.

Step 4: Dredge Shrimp

Dip each shrimp into the whisked eggs, then carefully coat with the flour-cornmeal mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 5: Fry Shrimp to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Step 6: Craft Zesty Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Hot sauce
• Fresh lemon juice

Blend until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 7: Build Delectable Sandwich

Generously spread the zesty sauce on the inside of the French bread, creating a flavor-packed base.

Step 8: Layer Mouthwatering Fillings

• Fresh, crisp lettuce
• Ripe, juicy tomato slices
• Tangy pickle rounds

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Plate the Po Boy immediately and enjoy the perfect combination of crispy, creamy, and fresh flavors!

Good Tips For Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• Select fresh, large shrimp for the most tender and flavorful po' boy sandwich experience.
• Drain fried shrimp on paper towels to remove excess oil and maintain crispiness.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity based on personal spice preference for a customized flavor profile.
• Mix cornmeal with flour for extra crunch and golden-brown exterior on the shrimp coating.
• Let shrimp sit at room temperature before coating to ensure even and consistent cooking.

Ways To Mix Up Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• Crispy Chicken Po Boy: Replace shrimp with buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders, breaded and fried until golden, maintaining the classic crispy texture.
• Veggie Po Boy: Substitute shrimp with crispy fried green tomatoes or eggplant slices, adding a Southern vegetarian option with the same crunchy coating.
• Spicy Crawfish Po Boy: Swap shrimp for spicy boiled crawfish tails, keeping the traditional breading and adding a Louisiana-style seafood kick.
• Crab Cake Po Boy: Use homemade crab cakes instead of shrimp, creating a rich and luxurious seafood sandwich with the same crispy exterior.

Tasty Pairings For Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• Crisp Beer Companion: Light, hoppy lagers like Abita Amber or local New Orleans brewery beers cut through the richness of fried shrimp and complement the sandwich's spicy sauce.
• Zesty White Wine Match: Bright, citrusy sauvignon blanc or crisp pinot grigio enhance the seafood's delicate flavor and balance the sandwich's crispy texture.
• Refreshing Cocktail Partner: Classic gulf coast hurricanes or spicy bloody marys with extra hot sauce mirror the po boy's bold Louisiana spirit and provide a tangy, invigorating counterpoint.

How To Store Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• Place leftover po boy sandwich in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap individual components separately to maintain crispiness.
• Keep bread in a sealed plastic bag to prevent it from getting soggy or stale.
• Warm fried shrimp in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent sogginess.
• When ready to eat, reassemble sandwich with fresh lettuce and tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.

Questions About Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich

• What makes a Po Boy sandwich authentic?

A true Po Boy originates from New Orleans and features crispy seafood (typically shrimp or oysters) on French bread with a tangy sauce and fresh toppings.

• Can I use a different type of seafood instead of shrimp?

Absolutely! Po Boy sandwiches work great with oysters, catfish, or even soft-shell crab as alternative protein options.

• How crispy should the shrimp coating be?

The coating should be golden brown and crunchy, with a light, even layer that provides texture without being too thick or greasy.

• Is homemade Po Boy sauce difficult to make?

Not at all. The sauce is simple, combining mayonnaise, hot sauce, and lemon juice to create a zesty, creamy condiment that enhances the sandwich’s flavor.

Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering Old Fashioned Homemade Po Boy Sandwich brings classic Louisiana coastal charm to your kitchen. Fresh ingredients and bold flavors combine for a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Bread and Coating:

• 1 loaf French bread
• 1 cup (120 grams) flour
• 1 cup (120 grams) cornmeal
• 2 eggs

Condiments and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Garnish:

• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Pickles

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Instructions

1. Slice the French bread into individual sandwich portions, creating a spacious cavity for filling by cutting lengthwise.
2. Create a crispy coating mixture by thoroughly blending flour and cornmeal in a shallow dish.
3. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until smooth and well-combined.
4. Carefully dredge each shrimp first through the whisked eggs, then generously coat with the flour-cornmeal mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Heat cooking oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent medium-high temperature for even frying.
6. Gently place coated shrimp into hot oil, frying approximately 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and thoroughly cooked interior.
7. Craft a zesty sauce by whisking mayonnaise, hot sauce, and fresh lemon juice until well integrated.
8. Generously spread the prepared sauce along the interior surfaces of the bread, creating a flavorful base.
9. Layer the crispy fried shrimp across the bread, followed by fresh crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and tangy pickle pieces.
10. Slice diagonally and serve immediately while shrimp remains hot and crisp, presenting a classic Louisiana-style sandwich.

Notes

• Select a crusty, fresh French baguette for authentic texture and traditional flavor profile.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
• Maintain oil temperature around 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior without greasy residue.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance, creating a customized sandwich experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Louisiana Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 730 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 195 mg